3.

Properties of Hardened concrete

Concrete technology and masonry structures

3.1.1.

Deformation of hardened concrete

to calculate the deformation and deflection of structural members, we have to know

the relation between stress and strain.

concrete behaves nearly elastically when load is first applied.

However, under sustained loading, concrete exhibits creep,

i.e. the strain increases with time under a constant stress, even at very low stresses and under

normal environmental conditions of temperature and humidity.

3.1.2.

Modulus of elasticity

Concrete

shows nonlinear and non-elastic

behavior, i.e. a permanent deformation existing
after removal of load as shown
The slope :modulus of elasticity.
The elastic modulus of concrete in compression
Ec =5000

Figure :stress and strain diagram for concrete

 Types of modulus of elasticity of concrete

Static modulus of elasticity
A. Initial tangent modulus of elasticity : at origin
B. Tangent modulus of elasticity : at any point
C.
D.

Secant modulus of elasticity : slope of line connecting a specified point and

origin
Chord modulus of elasticity: found out with refenrence to the chord

Dynamic modulus of elasticity

Flexural modulus of elasticity

Dynamic modulus of elasticity

Static modulus of elasticity does not truly represent the elastic behavior of the
concrete.

modulus of elasticity from : non-destructive testing of concrete.

The modulus of elasticity can be determined by subjecting the concrete member to

longitudinal vibration at their natural frequency.

involves the determination of either resonant frequency through a specimen of concrete

or pulse velocity travelling through the concrete. By making use of the above
parameters modulus of elasticity can be calculated from the following relationship.

Ed = Kn2L2p where : where Ed is the dynamic modulus of elasticity; K is a

constant, n is the resonant frequency; L is the length of specimen; and is the
density of concrete.

Ultrasonic pulse velocity equipment used for

finding dynamic modulus of elasticity

3.2.1 creep
It is

the time-dependent

part of the strain resulting

from stress
This is also known as plastic
flow or time yield
increase in strain under sustained constant
stress after taking into account other time
dependent deformations not associated with
stress.

Time

Factors affecting creep

CREEP

Higher the volume of aggregate the lower the creep

Higher the modulus of elasticity the lesser the creep

Stiffer the aggregate the lower the creep

Lower water cement ratio results in higher strength

Hence decreases in water cement ratio decreases the creep

STRENGTH

Creep decreases with age

Creep is smaller when concrete is cured at high temperature due

to high strength

Shrinkage

Caused by loss of water by evaporation or by hydration of cement

Contraction of concrete due to loss of moisture is called shrinkage

Types

A. Plastic shrinkage
B. Autogenous shrinkage
C. Drying shrinkage
D. Carbonation shrinkage
E. Thermal shrinkage

Plastic shrinkage

While the cement paste is plastic it undergoes volumetric contraction of

water due to loss of water

Loss of
water

Evaporation

Absorption
by
aggregate

A complete prevention of evaporation immediately after casting

reduces

prevention

Covering
with
polyethylen
e

Working at
night

Autogenous shrinkage

Even when no moisture movement to or from the set concrete is

possible autogenous shrinkage occurs

This is caused by loss of water used up in hydration

If there is a continuous supply of water to the concrete during hydration

concrete expands due to absorption of water by the cement gel. This
process is known as swelling

Drying shrinkage

Withdrawal of water form hardened concrete stored in unsaturated air

causes drying shrinkage

Since hydration of cement is an everlasting process , the drying

shrinkage is also an ever lasting process

Simply the shrinkage taken place after the concrete has set and
hardened

Thermal shrinkage

Volumetric change due to decrease in temperatures

Example can be taken as a roof slab or road pavement expands during

the day and undergoes thermal shrinkage during night

Factors influencing shrinkage

Depends on the relative humidity

Water cement ratio

Fatigue of concrete

Static fatigue or creep rupture : failure occurs under a sustained load

(or a slowly increasing load) near, but below the strength

Fatigue :failure occurs under cyclic or repeated loading

Repeated loadings can be seen in many structures for example bridges,

roads, air field pavement

Fatigue failure

Concrete specimen subjected to

alterations of compressive stress

Stress strain curve :concave

towards the strain axis: linear :
concave towards the stress axis

Stress strain curve of concrete

under cyclic compressive
loading

Effect of porosity

Effect of porosity

The hydrated cement contains : solid product of hydration + the water

which is held physically or is adsorbed on the large surface area of
hydrates this water is called gel water also called gel pores

Volume of solid products of hydration < (volume of dry cement +

water )
voids or capillary pores
the residual space takes the form of voids or capillary pores
Porosity depends upon water\cement ratio and degree of hydration

Porosity verses compressive strength

Porosity (log scale) - per cent

Effect of water\cement ratio

Abrams law ?

for any given condition of test the strength of well compacted concrete
with good workability depends upon the W/C cement ratio provided that
the mix is workable. He presented his classic law in the form of

S=

Where x = water/cement ratio by volume and A and B are constants.

S = compressive strength of concrete

which simply says that the strength is inversely proportional to water

cement ratio

Effect of aggregate size

Larger size

larger strength? ?

Yes upto some extent

But as larger maximum size gives lower surface area for developments of gel bonds which
is responsible for the lower strength of the concrete
Secondly bigger aggregate size causes a more heterogeneity in the concrete which will
prevent the uniform distribution of load when stressed

Durability of concrete
It is the ability to resist weathering action, chemical attack, abrasion or
any other process of deterioration
Durable concrete will retain its original form, quality and serviceability
when exposed to its environment
no material is inherently( naturally ) durable

Environmental related causes of

concrete durability problems
Temperature
Moisture
Physical factor
Chemical factor
Biological factors

Cracks in concrete

Bleed Water
Inhibited by Fly ash
Top of Slab

Plastic shrinkage occurs when the concrete loses its

bleed water too quickly from its surface and
therefore dries rapidly

Plastic settlement : Settlement while the

concrete is still settling. This happens
when the concrete cover over the
reinforcement is too small, or the mix
contains too many fines or the mix is too
slow in releasing its bleed water.t cracks
occur when concrete is

Thermal cracking

Surface Disintegration

Dusting

Improper/Lack of Curing

High Surface W/C

Carbonation
Fresh Air

Spalling

Improper curing

Rapid evaporation

Sealing surface
prematurely

Too low w/c ratio

Aggregate Contamination

Freezing

Plastic Shrinkage Cracks

Occur when rate of evaporation

exceeds rate of bleed

Crazing
Improper Curing
Rapid surface
drying
Over-Finishing
Too long a delay from
final troweling to
application of curing
compound
High W/C ratio
Blessing Surface

Improperly Designed Structural Cracks

Your dreams are like the cement. If you

water it with actions, it becomes a hard
concrete mass. But if you leave it exposed
and unwatered, the air will easily blow it
away!
Israelmore Ayivor